News: Third Generation Lady Takes the Reins
News: Third Generation Lady Takes the Reins
Date Added: 05/03/2026 @ 10:50am
Fantastic, Positive News On Devon’s Grand Western Canal as a 3rd Generation Lady Takes the Reins... Tiverton Canal Co, the living heritage tourist attraction and Horse-Drawn Barge's future is now assured in mid Devon. Owners of Tiverton Canal Co., Philip and Jacquie Brind to hand over the reins to their daughter and son-in-law.
Phil said:
“Jacq and I have been here now since the mid-80s, and my father before me, once said, “Boy, with a life-style job like this... you either leave on a high, or you never leave, and die in the pull! lol"
Phil went on to say, "Jacq and I’ve had a really wonderful time in our 40 odd years, and met some truly wonderful people! We've had the best of times, but as they say... time waits for no man/woman.”
Phil explained, that they started on barge in 1986 working for Pat & Ray Brind (Phil's Mum and Dad), and bought the business from them in 2006. Now we are very excited to announce it’s time for our daughter Becky with her husband David Poxon (who she met when he worked with us as a horseman back in 2006/7) to take the business into the future. Becky will be the 3rd generation of the Brind family to operate/run this living Heritage attraction.
Phil said: "... in our opinion, Becky and Dave make the very best choice to continue the company's success, as they both understand the importance of keeping this very rare horse-drawn barge heritage attraction alive for future generations.
We of course wish them both all the very best for the future.
Becky and Dave begin their new season on 1st April 2026 and as they start, Jacq and I would like to say a final farewell to You! and thank everyone whose supported us over the years and special thanks must go to Mark Baker, Jo and Craig and the Ranger service, as they are an amazing and ‘essential team’ that have keep the canal running and maintained, without which we would not be able to run our business.
But most of all, we thank 'You' for visiting the canal and the horse-drawn barge... some every year! and to thank you for your friendship and kind words over the years, and say to 'ALL', if it wasn’t for 'YOU', there would be no horse-drawn barge in Devon.
Thank you